10 Fantasy TV Shows That Tried To Copy Game Of Thrones

There’s no question that as soon as it premiered, Game of Thrones quickly became the blueprint for fantasy television. Like all massively popular and successful TV series, a slew of copycat shows cropped up after Game of Thrones premiered, and fantasy television entered mainstream spheres once again. Television has always been a great place for speculative fiction, and Game of Thrones was a reminder of this for the 21st century. Though the series is often defined by the sex and violence that punctuate so many of the episodes, the political intrigue and well-paced character arcs are just as critical.

One of the biggest criticisms of Game of Thrones was that it was a fantasy TV that wasted its potential. The final season of Game of Thrones was panned by both critics and audiences for failing its characters and narrative momentum. However, this doesn’t change how influential the series was and is and how much contemporary projects owe to it. Not only did Game of Thrones pave the way for faithful and detailed adaptations of high fantasy books, but it also proved that fantasy has the potential to appeal to all audiences, not just longtime fans and niche groups.

10 His Dark Materials (2019–2022)

Though targeted to younger audiences, His Dark Materials has the depth of GOT

His Dark Materials is a children’s fantasy book series adults love for a reason, as Philip Pullman’s novels are magical enough to transport the reader into another reality while making searing criticism about the issues of the world. Lyra, the protagonist, is similar to characters like Arya and Sansa, with plenty of grit, determination, and a well-developed character arc. Like the individuals in Game of Thrones, Lyra and her allies go up against some of the most insidious characters possible, but they’re never one-dimensional.

There’s no question that
Game of Thrones
is not for audiences of all ages, which makes series like
His Dark Materials
perfect for younger viewers looking for complex fantasy shows.

There’s no question that Game of Thrones is not for audiences of all ages, which makes series like His Dark Materials perfect for younger viewers looking for complex fantasy shows. While there are magical series for children, they sometimes underestimate the viewer’s ability to understand nuanced characterization and world-building, but His Dark Materials doesn’t do that. Additionally, His Dark Materials might have more hope than Game of Thrones, but it isn’t afraid to throw in some bleak moments throughout the seasons.

9 The Witcher (2019–Present)

The darkness and brutality of The Witcher mirror GOT

There are plenty of overpowered characters like Geralt found in Game of Thrones, as both shows prioritize intensity, tragedy, and skill in battle in their characters. However, Geralt isn’t just a force of nature on the battlefield, as his experiences in The Witcher push him to be a better person and get emotionally involved with the people around him. His connection to Ciri, the princess, sets him on a course to become involved in more politics and battle than he ever dreamed.

Shows like The Witcher learned from Game of Thrones that flash and spectacle aren’t enough to keep audiences engaged. While both series use plenty of explicit content, it’s subverted by humor and quieter moments that the viewer can relate to. Also based on an intricate work of high fantasy, The Witcher follows the story from the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, who is just as committed to the expansion of his universe and its logic as the author of Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin.

8 The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

Historical facts are blended with compelling fiction in The Last Kingdom

Exploring the conflicts between the Vikings and the Saxons during the seventh century, The Last Kingdom is based on The Saxon Stories novels by Bernard Cornwell. Like Game of Thrones, no one is safe in The Last Kingdom, with beloved characters dropping left and right. The Last Kingdom isn’t overly concerned with historical accuracy, giving it a universal feel and connecting it to the world of high fantasy. From the beginning, The Last Kingdom was compared to Game of Thrones because of how similarly the conflicts are structured.

Viewers who tuned into
Game of Thrones
for the gore and the glory will find a lot to love in
The Last Kingdom
, which is the next logical step in the precedent set by
Game of Thrones
for violence on television.

The Last Kingdom has some of the best TV show battle scenes throughout the seasons, with great and powerful armies clashing with plenty of blood and guts for the audience to enjoy. Viewers who tuned into Game of Thrones for the gore and the glory will find a lot to love in The Last Kingdom, which is the next logical step in the precedent set by Game of Thrones for violence on television. It could be argued that The Last Kingdom fails to stand apart from Game of Thrones, but it takes the best parts of the seminal series for a reason.

7 The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (2022–Present)

This Lord of the Rings prequel pushes itself to stand apart from other works of fantasy

The Rings of Power was in a difficult position from the show’s inception, as it would have to expand upon beloved IP while also distinguishing itself as a separate entity. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series is a definitive work of high fantasy, and the Game of Thrones novels wouldn’t exist without it. However, shows like Game of Thrones created a niche for The Rings of Power to fill and encouraged increased plot twists and unbelievable violence within the world of the story.

Game of Thrones deals with different houses and groups rather than other races, like elves, men, dwarves, etc., in The Rings of Power, but both shows grapple with how cultural clashes can erupt into full-blown wars. However, The Rings of Power deals with a more concrete and obvious evil through Sauron, whereas Game of Thrones makes each of its characters more nuanced and morally uncertain. Despite this, it’s clear that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is aware of the success of Game of Thrones and is looking to capture it.

6 House Of The Dragon (2022–Present)

The spinoff series that’s taken on a life of its own

The somewhat controversial prequel to Game of Thrones, House of The Dragon, isn’t a carbon copy, but it pays tribute to the original show and draws heavy inspiration from it. Of course, this is almost always the case with a spinoff series, and House of the Dragon has been pushing itself to escape the shadow of Game of Thrones since the series premiered. Instead of following many different people across the Seven Kingdoms and the wider world, House of the Dragon focuses almost exclusively on the Targaryens.

Though House of the Dragon isn’t a spinoff darker than the TV show it’s based on, it touches upon a more singular tragedy within the world of Game of Thrones. The conflict between two powerful members of House Targaryen is explored in House of the Dragon, and the audience gets to witness the fallout and loss in the wake of this war. While this narrows the scope of Game of Thrones, it allows for even more complex character development and interrogates the history that led to the conflict in the original series.

5 Vikings (2013–2020)

Epic quests and fights for control define Vikings

Based on Norse folktales and mythology, Vikings is a strong answer to series like Game of Thrones and practically levels up the stakes and tension of the explosive action sequences. Though Vikings technically chronicles a period of real history, this is ancillary to the meat of the show, which are incredible and complex fight scenes. Like Game of Thrones, Vikings follows many morally unscrupulous individuals who will go to extreme lengths for power and influence.

The scale of
Vikings
is reminiscent of
Game of Thrones
, as both series span countries and see their characters travel long distances to participate in wars and raids.

The scale of Vikings is reminiscent of Game of Thrones, as both series span countries and see their characters travel long distances to participate in wars and raids. Additionally, in longevity, Vikings came close to Game of Thrones run with six seasons total and a spinoff series, Vikings: Valhalla. In terms of legacy, Vikings hasn’t had the impact of Game of Thrones, as it takes a more simplistic route in communicating the characters and their motivations. However, this doesn’t make it any less entertaining and fun.

4 The Wheel Of Time (2021–Present)

Also based on an iconic fantasy book series, The Wheel of Time juggles intricate world-building

Shows like The Wheel of Time wouldn’t exist without Game of Thrones. The Wheel of Time is a good Song of Ice and Fire replacement because of the many parallels. For many years, works like Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time novels were typically adapted to film with mixed results. It’s an ambitious piece of literature that requires a lot of careful exposition and world-building that becomes rushed or clunky in movie format. However, on television, The Wheel of Time has found its footing and is filling the hole left by Game of Thrones.

Most works of high fantasy have a lot in common. The fact that The Wheel of Time books were released before Game of Thrones speaks to how intertwined and intertextual these TV shows are. Magic systems and fearsome orders of powerful people set the stage in The Wheel of Time, and trust only goes so far when so many deals and plots are happening behind the scenes. While The Wheel of Time hasn’t hit the same heights as Game of Thrones yet, the second season improved upon the show’s formula.

3 Shadow And Bone (2021–2023)

Based on the popular YA novels, this show attempted to restructure its narrative

When adapting Leigh Bardugo’s work for the screen, it’s clear that the team behind Shadow and Bone looked to Game of Thrones for inspiration. While Bardugo’s books primarily follow the perspective of Alina Starkov, the protagonist, Shadow and Bone adds additional characters from the companion series Six of Crows and jumps around to multiple perspectives in every episode. Alina still takes center stage, but instead of only learning about events and backstories from her point of view, the audience has insight into different facets of the story.

Game of Thrones is known for weaving together the narratives of many different characters and slowly foreshadowing their coming together to share information and align themselves or finally clash in an explosive fight. Additionally, Shadow and Bone spends ample time on the works of kings and governments as much as it does the magic system. Within the characterization and relationships between people, the moral ambiguity and darkness of the characters are similar to Game of Thrones.

2 The Winter King (2023)

King Arthur is made brutal and gritty in this short-lived series

Though it ran for just one season, The Winter King was an interesting take on Arthurian legend based on the works by Bernard Cornwell. Instead of characterizing Arthur as a child learning from Merlin or a young prince struggling to find his footing as a future king, The Winter King makes Arthur a political and warlike figure who must fight to reclaim his throne. This kind of struggle for power and succession is something that Game of Thrones touches upon heavily.

Projects like this modern take on Arthurian legend wouldn’t exist without the groundwork for gritty fantasy that was laid by
Game of Thrones
.

While Game of Thrones takes place in a fictional land, it’s clear that Westeros is an Anglicized land and is easily comparable to stories about Britain. It’s highly likely that Martin drew inspiration from classic works of fantasy like the tales of King Arthur when he initially wrote Game of Thrones. However, projects like this modern take on Arthurian legend wouldn’t exist without the groundwork for gritty fantasy that was laid by Game of Thrones.

1 Britannia (2018–2021)

 The historical conflict between Britain and Rome is infused with magic 




  





Set in 43 AD, Britannia is a historical fantasy drama that follows the Roman invasion of Britain, focusing on the clash between the Roman Empire and the native Celtic tribes. The series features an ensemble cast led by David Morrissey, Kelly Reilly, and Mackenzie Crook, exploring themes of power, myth, and survival amidst a backdrop of ancient Britain’s turbulent history.



Cast 
 David Morrissey , Eleanor Worthington-Cox , Mackenzie Crook , Julian Rhind-Tutt , Liana Cornell , Annabel Scholey , Nikolaj Lie Kaas , Hugo Speer  


Release Date 
 January 18, 2018  


Seasons 
 3  


Creator(s) 
 Jez Butterworth , Tom Butterworth , James Richardson  






Set in England during the Roman invasion of 43 AD, Britannia imagines a spiritual and mystical version of history where the Druid people are in conversation with gods and prophecies, which drives their actions against the Romans. While there are a few elements of history woven throughout Britannia, first and foremost, the series is a fantasy and leans into its magic system as much as it does the character’s political machinations. Though it’s not quite as serious as Game of Thrones,​​​​​​​ it still delivers on violence and impact.




Like Game of Thrones, Britannia revolves around conflicts of territory and the right to rule, with each camp fighting tooth and nail to stake their claim on the land. Additionally, Britannia leans heavily into the threat of violence and the intensity of its setting but is even more explicit about the magic system early on than Game of Thrones. Though Britannia is set in the real world, it’s easy to get lost in its otherworldly elements and to see how much the series borrows from its predecessors.






Series


Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score


Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score




Britannia (2018–2021)


92%


78%